My neighbor

Scene from Alfred Hitchcock's film "Rear Window"

Since he moved in, about 4 months ago, I've been doing some "voyeurism". He lives in our building, one floor below ours. I've never met him and, most probably, I wouldn't recognize him in the elevator. But, from my kitchen window, I have a partial view of his living room. I followed his whole installation, from the day he moved in and there was still no furniture in the apartment. You may ask yourself why I found myself so interested on this man. Mainly because he represents a life that was once mine and is no more.

He lives by himself. His apartment is neat, nicely decorated. Everything is in its place and, more importantly, stays that way. No toys on the way, no pillows thrown away, no chairs overturned. I especially take long glances at his living room on Sundays. Yesterday, for example, while I was in the kitchen preparing simultaneously dinner, cookies and a chocolate mousse that went terribly wrong, the usual two little hurricanes were passing around my apartment (that is, F and P running around and leaving things everywhere). In the meantime, my dear neighbor (let's call him Mr. N) was peacefully resting on his sofa, like he usually does on Sundays afternoon. 

He likes to read, take naps and watch TV while lying on that sofa. Last Tuesday, at 7 am, he was even having breakfast there while reading the news on his iPad. So, as I was saying, on Sundays he stays there for long hours. Something that for me, would absolutely be impossible, unimaginable, inconceivable. I don't even know if I would know how to do that anymore, because since I became a mother I developed an acute level of ADD. I need to be multitasking, in order for things to work out.

Yesterday Mr. N stayed so long lying on his sofa, by himself, that at the end I was actually feeling sorry for himself. Doesn't he feel kind of lonely sometimes? I certainly envy him, especially on Sunday evenings when I'm exhausted from the weekend (I know, I'm repeating myself), but I find it harder to imagine a life without children. While the kids were awake and making noise, I was dreaming of being that guy. But as soon as they were in bed and the apartment was silent again, I was glad to have the life that I have.

After observing Mr. N for many weekends I decided to share my little "voyeurism" secret with my husband. We were so jealous of him that we are now planning a little getaway. No kids allowed. It has been so long we travelled only the two of us that I'm not sure what to expect. We haven't decided the destination yet and it will certainly be a short trip. J (my husband) can't take long vacations right now and, as much as I need some rest, I wouldn't be able to stay too long away from the kids. Oh, motherhood...